Environmental technician in the industrial sector

The Environmental Technician in the Industrial Sector is the figure who is usually in charge of directing, coordinating and controlling everything related to the environment of the company.

Any industrial activity has an impact on the environment, which from before the industry starts to be built already has environmental regulations to comply with; that is why this profession is so important, since thanks to its correct work many impacts can be avoided, and consequently reduce atmospheric emissions, noise pollution, discharges, waste generation, etc; as well as possible sanctions.

An Environmental Technician of an industrial facility must have a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge that allows him/her to detect and/or avoid problems that industries may cause to the environment. The industrial environmental field requires people with multidisciplinary and specific training as far as environmental management is concerned. An environmental technician or environmental manager is usually responsible for solving the tasks of those departments related to environmental management in the company (processes, maintenance, production, etc.) and propose solutions.

Responsibilities you will have in a company

Similarly, an environmental technician is usually assigned the responsibility for the correct operation and maintenance of the environmental management system implemented, if applicable, as well as the introduction of preventive and corrective actions and action and improvement plans derived from environmental regulations.

On the other hand, in addition to knowing the current environmental regulations in order to be able to apply them to the company and control their compliance, he/she is usually assigned the responsibility for:

• Manage and evaluate any deviation that takes the company out of compliance with the applicable regulations.
• To propose measures that promote the circular economy of the company.
• Elaborate all documentation and tasks related to the production and management of waste, such as: storage plans, contact with authorized managers, minimization plans, annual management reports, PRTR data communication, etc.).
• Elaborate consumption saving and minimization plans (raw materials, waste reuse, water reuse, etc.).
• Elaborate the environmental risk analysis and elaborate plans to reduce the risk.
• Implement and maintain the company's environmental management system (ISO, EMAS...).
• Design plans for prevention, control and minimization of atmospheric emissions and noise pollution.
• To process permits and authorizations for discharges.
• Drawing up training and environmental awareness plans for workers.
• To know and apply the regulations applicable to any relevant modification to be carried out in the industry (increase with new production lines, new activities, changes in the treatment capacity, new raw materials to be used, etc).

Therefore, the Environmental Technician in the industrial sector can work in any company that carries out any type of industrial activity and must be qualified to develop technical functions in the various activities that make up the environmental sector: water purification, waste treatment, contaminated soil remediation, control and prevention of air pollution, etc.